This image of an elegant elderly lady shows how the Chinese portrait painter conveyed a sense of status through the figure's accoutrements. The lady's wealth is suggested by her jewelrygold and pearl earrings and an ornate headdress fashioned out of gold and kingfisher feathersand the sumptuous blue brocade cloth draped over the back of her chair. Her family status is further underscored by the official belt inset with elaborately worked plaques and a large rank badge with Manchurian cranesthe insignia of a civil official of the highest rank. Since women were not eligible to hold government office, these marks of rank were probably inherited from her father.